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Does agency import usually require payment of agency fees? How are they paid?

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Our company plans to import a batch of goods through an agency company. We haven't been involved in the agency import business before. I'd like to ask whether agency import requires payment of agency fees? If so, how are they usually charged? Is it according to the proportion of the value of the goods, or are there other calculation methods? I hope experienced friends can help answer this question so that I can have a clear idea. Thank you.

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Professional consultant answers

Amanda Yang
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Cost control consultantConsult

Agency import usually requires payment of agency fees. Agency fees are the remuneration charged by the agency company for providing import agency services. The charging methods of different agency companies may vary, but the following are common ones:

Charging according to the proportion of the value of the goods. This is a relatively common method. For example, Zhongshitong usually charges agency fees at 1% - 5% of the value of the imported goods. The higher the value of the goods, the lower the proportion may be. This method is relatively fair to both parties and can reflect the relationship between the workload of the agency service and the value of the goods.

Fixed charging per order. For some businesses with not high value of goods but relatively fixed operation procedures, the agency company will set a fixed amount. For example, an agency fee of 2,000 - 5,000 yuan is charged for one order of business.

Charging according to service items, that is, billing separately according to different links such as customs declaration, customs clearance, and transportation. For the specific charging method, you can communicate in detail with the agency company before cooperation.

Sarah Zhang
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0

Document expertConsult

Agency fees need to be paid. Generally, they are charged according to the proportion of the value of the goods. However, it also depends on the category of the imported goods. If it is relatively difficult to import and involves many special procedures, the proportion of the agency fees may be higher.

Joseph Zhou
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

Of course, agency fees need to be paid. The agency company has to charge for its efforts. Besides charging according to the proportion of the value of the goods, some will also charge differently according to the mode of transportation. The standards of agency fees for sea transportation and air transportation may be different.

David Li
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

Payment of agency fees is common. Some agency companies will also determine it in combination with the import volume. For those with a large amount of import business in the long term, the agency fees may be negotiable to a lower level.

Robert Chen
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Customer service consultantConsult

Agency fees need to be paid. Sometimes the agency company will also consider the port. Different ports have different operation difficulties, and the agency fees also vary.

Elizabeth Li
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Compliance and risk managerConsult

Agency import basically requires agency fees. The charging may also be related to the market situation. The agency fees will also fluctuate during the off-season and peak season of the market.

Andrew Huang
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

Of course, agency fees need to be paid. Some agencies will calculate the agency fees comprehensively according to the weight of the goods combined with the value of the goods. The specific details need to be negotiated with the agency in detail.

William Yang
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0

International logistics consultantConsult

Agency import requires payment of agency fees. If the business is processed on an urgent basis, an additional urgent fee may be charged.

Michelle Chen
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Business coordination consultantConsult

Agency fees need to be paid. Some agencies will charge according to the customer's requirement for the customs clearance time. The higher the requirement for faster customs clearance, the higher the agency fees.

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